Page 44 - WHS FH 2014

Thursday, September 11, 2014 © Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Wilton Field Hockey Looks Sharp in Opener

By J. B. Cozens
If anybody thought that graduating eight starters would bring the Wilton High field hockey team down a few
notches this season, Tuesday’s season opener at New Canaan showed the FCIAC and state that Wilton is still
Wilton.

The Warriors, the three-time defending Class M state champs, controlled the game and scored an impressive 4-1
win at Dunning Field. Wilton finished with a 12-4 edge in shots at goal.

Wilton returns only four players who started last year in senior captains Caroline Taverna, Kristen Godin, Meg
Cunningham and Delaney Baxendale. However, the rest of Tuesday’s lineup was made up of players who did
see at least some action last year during the team’s runs to the FCIAC and state finals — juniors Jillian Mahon
and Maddie Duffy, and sophomores Bridget Ward, Delaney Chase and Meredith Rappaport.

The Warriors scored the first goal just three minutes into the game, after a quick push from midfield started by
Duffy, and ending in Cunningham’s goal after passes by Chase and Ward. The Rams tied the game less than
three minutes later when Maddie Gertson’s hit from the right side of the arc bounced through a crowd in front
of the goal and into the far side of the cage.

But the Warriors dominated the rest of the first half, with plenty of scoring chances. They finally scored again
with 6:15 left in the half when Mahon’s hit from the side was stopped by Duffy in front of goalie Sarah